Activity
Financial Markets and Planning
Course, Subject
Social Studies, Math, Science & Technology
Grade Levels
Commencement, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Assessment
- Students' plans are evaluated on basis of established rubric.
- Teacher evaluates class participation.
Author
John D. Caminiti, Broome-Delaware-Tioga BOCES/
Binghamton
Duration
3–5 days
Description
Objective:
Students will gain valuable life skills in financial markets and planning
as they develop an awareness of the United States economy.
Activity:
- Teacher, financial planner, financial reporter, or representative from the
business school of a local university speaks to the class on the importance of
understanding the financial markets and developing a financial plan for
the future.
- Students are presented with definitions and information regarding:
- NASDAQ/AMEX
- Credit and credit ratings
- Standard & Poor's 500
- Mutual funds
- Insurance
- Savings
- Interest Rates (both borrowing and investing)
- The Dow Jones industrial average
- Teacher or speaker explains the financial advantages/disadvantages, and
relative risks, of the different investment formats, and discusses the
difference between long-term and short-term investment.
- Students access numerous, related websites and various resources (e.g.,
magazines, newspapers) reinforcing definitions previously discussed.
- Students are taught how to invest and how to check on gains or losses.
- Each student is “given” a set amount of money to invest and develops a
financial plan. The status of each student's account is checked weekly, and
each student maintains a spreadsheet of his “investments.”
- At the end of the semester or year, each student reevaluates his/her plan
and has the opportunity to make adjustments.
- Each student submits a report of the gains/losses and explains why
adjustments were made.
- Students discuss insights they gained from the experience.
Materials/Resources
- Computer with Internet access
- Spreadsheet software
- Research resources (e.g., newspapers, magazines, books)
Comments/Modifications
- This lesson generates genuine student interest and teaches skills
that will have lifetime benefits.
- Students can be encouraged to share their acquired knowledge with
family members or friends.
- Regular discussions, focusing on the daily changes that occur in
financial markets, can be held.
- Students should be led to understand that their personal financial
plans are dynamic and should change frequently.
Source
Caminiti, John. “Financial Markets and Planning.” In Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Resource Guide with Core Curriculum. New York State Department of Education, 198.
